National Day of Bhutan

On 17th of December, 1907, entire population of Bhutan represented by 47 of their representatives congregated in Pungthang Dechen Phodrang Dzong to install Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck as the first hereditary Monarch of Bhutan. The day marked the start of the Wangchuck Dynasty under whose successive rulers Bhutan saw a period of peace, tranquility and progress.

His Majesty Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck the Ist King of Bhutan

According to available information, Bhutan celebrated our National Day for the first time on 17th December, 1971. Today the 17th of December, 2023 we will be celebrating our 116th National Day.

One hundred and sixteen years ago, the peoples’ representatives, including the regional rulers and administrators, and the monk body, affixed their respective seals to the following Declaration of Allegiance - installing Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck as the first hereditary King of Bhutan:

The "Gyenja" executed on 17th December, 1907 at Pungthang Dechen Phodrang Dzong

Those of you who can read the "Gyenja" will notice something intriguing: Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck has been named as "Sir Ugyen Wangchuck". Even the date of the "Gyenja" has been recorded in the Gregorian calendar. I wonder if that was done due to the presence of his good friend J C White? Regardless, one Bhutanese scholar tells me that the language of the "Gyenja" is truly outstanding - far superior to anything he has seen so far.

The signatories to the document, including the foreign dignitaries, were recorded as follows:

1. Seal of The Monk Body         Je and the Lopoens

2. Seal of Choetse Poenlop         Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck

3. Seal of Zhoong Droenyer         Tshewang Penjor

4. Seal of Thimphu Dzongpoen Kuenzang Thinley

5. Seal of Punakha Dzongpoen Palden Wangchuk

6. Seal of Wangdue Dzongpoen Kuenzang Norbu

7. Seal of Rinpoong Chila         Dawa Penjor

8. Seal of Daga Chila                 Tshewang Dorje

9. Seal of Gongzim                         Kuenzang Tshering

CLASS II OFFICIALS

10. Seal of Zhoong Droensop         Shar Tshering

11. Seal of Tapoen                         Rigzin Dorje

12. Seal of Zimpoen Nam                 Namgyal

13. Seal of Japoen                         Samdrup

14. Seal of Punakha Zimpoen         Kuenleg

15. Seal of Punakha Ngyerpa         Sangye Thinley

16. Seal of Gasa Dzongpoen         Dargo Ngoedrup

17. Seal of Thimphu Zimpoen         Sithup

18. Seal of Thimphu Ngyerpa         Phurpa Tashi

19. Seal of Lingzhi Nyerpa         Taya Gup

20. Seal of Wangdue Zimpoen         Tshewang Doendrup

21. Seal of Wangdue Nyerpa         Garpon

22. Seal of Paro Droenyer         Pelzang

23. Seal of Paro Nyerpa                 Yeshe

24. Seal of Paro Zimpoen                 Sigyel 

25. Seal of Drugyal Dzongpoen Samten Yoezer

26. Seal of Haa Droongpa         Ugyen

27. Seal of Daga Zimpoen         Dorje

28. Seal of Daga Nyerchen         Wangpo

29. Seal of Trongsa Zimpoen         Dorje

30. Seal of Jakar Dzongpoen         Chime Dorje

31. Seal of Zhongar Dzongpoen Dorje Penjor

32. Seal of Trashigang Dzongpoen Sonam Tshering

33. Seal of Lhuentse Dzongpoen Thinley Gyamtsho

34. Seal of Zhemgang Dzongpoen Karma

CLASS III OFFICIALS

35. Seal of all Class III Officers of   Punakha Dzong

36. Seal of all Class III Officers of   Tashichho Dzong

37. Seal of all Class III Officers of   Wangdue Dzong

38. Seal of all Class III Officers of   Trongsa Dzong

39. Seal of all Class III Officers of   Paro Dzong

40. Seal of all subjects of                 Wang Tshochen Gyed

41. Seal of all subjects of                 Thed Dargyed Chusoom

42. Seal of all subjects of                 Sha Dar Gyed

43. Seal of all subjects of                 Barkor Tsho Druk

44. Seal of all subjects of                 Gyue Zhi of Haa

45. Seal of all subjects of                 Tsentog Ling Druk

46. Seal of all subjects of                 Sharchog Kholo Sip Gyae

47. Seal of all subjects of                 Three Lings of Daga

It is not clear if they were official guests of the British Empire - but it is recorded that the following were present during the occasion:

i. John Claude White CIE, British Political Officer based in Sikkim

ii. Major Renik

iii. Mr. Campbell

iv. Captain Hyslop

v. Zarwala Suvidar Jihaden Khanna

vi. Rai Bahadur Lobzang Choeden

From all indications, the 116th National Day Celebrations will be an event unlike any before it. Even better, His Majesty the King is rumored to be announcing some major economic initiatives – such as the much-anticipated final plans of the Gelephu Administrative Region. Thus, I am honored to be able to attend it - from within the Changlemithang celebration grounds.

The Invitation Card to the 116th National Day Celebrations. Whoever was responsible for the design and printing of the Card – he/she has done a great job - it is such a pleasure to see someone do such an exquisite job: the choice of paper, its size, its texture, weight and the choice of font is simply superlative!